3rd-and-long a long shot

Bears' 1-for-42 conversion rate shows few risks

Seems it's always third-and-oh-so-very loooooong for the Bears these days.

After scoring only 33 points in the last three games, the Bears' offense finds itself in difficult circumstances far too often.

The Bears have converted just one of 42 third-and-10 or longer situations all season. That lone conversion came in the 20-12 loss to Green Bay on Nov. 11.

Offensive coordinator John Shoop says he "values the football" more than first downs as the Bears (9-3) prepare to meet Tampa Bay on Sunday at Soldier Field.

"What people don't realize is that when it is third-and-12 or third-and-15, your chances of converting that are about zero," backup quarterback Shane Matthews says. "That's because the defenses are going to rush three guys and drop eight guys back. That's when you are going to throw interceptions."

Starting quarterback Jim Miller generally has a few seconds to spot an open deep receiver. More often than not, he dumps a short pass off and hopes the receiver can run for the needed yardage.

"There was a lot of frustration," Miller said after the loss. "We weren't on the same page sometimes. . . . I'll take the brunt of it."

Miller has averaged 120 passing yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in his last three games after throwing for 228 yards in the 27-24 victory at Tampa Bay Nov. 18, which included three TD passes to Marty Booker.

Matthews contends statistics are for losers to evaluate. The bottom line is protecting the football and winning games.

"People look at the Indianapolis Colts," he said. "They throw the ball down the field all the time. Peyton [Manning] is probably going to be one of the greatest of all time. But right now he is struggling. He has a ton of interceptions (20), and that's killing his football team."

Booker leads the Bears with 75 receptions for 826 yards and seven touchdowns.

"They have things within their defense that they can do to take Marty away," Shoop said of the Tampa Bay defense. "I'm sure that they'll certainly be aware of where Marty lines up every single time, [but] we'll be ready. No matter the situation, we know Marty needs to touch the ball for us to have a better chance to win."

Further futility for the offense reveals it is 3-for-11 on third-and-nine situations and 1-for-8 on third-and-eight plays.

"I think our most valuable player is [punter] Brad Maynard," Matthews said. "So if it is third-and-10 or third-and-15, the chances of getting that first down are slim. Sure we have plays to throw it down there, but if it's not open, Jim is not going to force an interception and give the opposing team a short field to play on."

Tampa Bay (7-5) was able to beat the Rams earlier this season because St. Louis quarterback Kurt Warner turned the ball over five times on interceptions and a fumble.